Masons gather in Kearney for 169th Annual Grand Lodge meeting

By Peter Rice

KEARNEY, Neb. — Freemasons from across Nebraska are in Kearney this weekend for the 169th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.

Around 400 hundred members and their families attended the annual meeting, which includes electing officers, reviewing budgets and setting priorities for the year ahead.

Organizers say freemasonry is a men’s fraternity built on principles of truth, relief and honesty.

The organization also supports youth and women’s groups, providing leadership opportunities and encouraging civic engagement.

Past Grand Master Ron Stites says the weekend is about more than business. “The real importance to me for being together for the weekend is the simple fact that you’re here to share ideas, you’re here to re-energize yourself as far as what masonry offers and what you can do for masonry, and it gives you a chance to see people that you don’t always see all the time,” said Stites.

Organizers say events like this allow members to carry the fraternity’s values into their communities, strengthen relationships and pass traditions on to the next generation.

"We feel that if the true values and the tenets of masonry were followed today we would have a much more calmer society, we wouldn't have as much chaos as we have. We'd be more gentlemanly and more ladylike to each other. And what we do is we reinforce those values while we are here," said Stites.

This year’s communication was held at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.

More information about the Grand Lodge and other opportunities can be found here.